Relationship Between an SNP and Relapse After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Unrelated bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a curative treatment for hematological malignancies. While HLA mismatch is a recognized risk factor in unrelated BMT, the significance of non-HLA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) remains uncertain. Cytokines play key roles in several aspects of unrelated BMT.

Comparative Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Aflibercept and Brolucizumab in Human Aqueous Humor Using Nano-Surface and Molecular-Orientation Limited Proteolysis.

Aflibercept and brolucizumab, two anti-VEGF agents used as intravitreal injections in ophthalmology, differ significantly in molecular weight (aflibercept-115 kDa and brolucizumab-26 kDa). Using aqueous humor samples collected after drug administration, we measured and performed a comparative analysis of pharmacokinetics and half-lives of these drugs in the human eye. Since the quantification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using antigen-antibody reactions, such as ELISA, is influenced by endogenous ligands or anti-drug antibodies, we employed nano-surface and molecular-orientation limited proteolysis (nSMOL), combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), for accurate measurements.

Band asymmetry-driven nonreciprocal electronic transport in a helimagnetic semimetal α-EuP.

Chiral magnetic textures give rise to unconventional magnetotransport phenomena such as the topological Hall effect and nonreciprocal electronic transport. While the correspondence between topology or symmetry of chiral magnetic structures and such transport phenomena has been well established, a microscopic understanding based on the spin-dependent band structure in momentum space remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate how a chiral magnetic superstructure introduces an asymmetry in the electronic band structure and triggers a nonreciprocal electronic transport in a centrosymmetric helimagnet α-EuP.

Potential of low apolipoprotein A-I as a surrogate marker of vulnerable carotid artery plaques.

Objective: Recent studies suggested that the medical control of atherogenic lipoproteins is not sufficient for stroke prevention. A low apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) level may play a crucial role in the anti-atherogenic effects of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and may also be associated with symptomatic vulnerable plaques in carotid artery stenosis. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between apoA-I levels and the status of carotid artery stenosis.

Effectiveness and cytokine profile of combined anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and corticosteroid therapy for chronic retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To investigate whether sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) prolongs the recurrence intervals of macular edema (ME) for chronic retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and to investigate the differences in intraocular inflammatory cytokines between good responders (GRs) and non-responders (NRs).

Methods: This retrospective, observational study involved 42 eyes of 42 patients with ME due to chronic RVO who had received only anti-VEGF for ≥ 1 year and were transitioned to combination therapy. GRs were defined as patients whose recurrence intervals were prolonged by ≥ 2 weeks compared with patients receiving anti-VEGF alone.

Effectiveness of single-energy metal artifact reduction algorithm in CT: application to contrast-enhanced CT with EVAR and coil embolization.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the single-energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR) algorithm in reducing metal artifacts and enhancing image quality in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with coil embolization. Thirty-eight patients (mean age 81.0 ± 6 years; 31 men, 7 women) who underwent contrast-enhanced CT following EVAR and internal iliac artery coil embolization between September 2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.

Liver lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation in glutamine-supplemented ob/ob mice.

Glutamine availability may be reduced in chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced by obesity. Herein, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid metabolism effects of chronic oral glutamine supplementation in its free and dipeptide form were assessed in ob/ob mice. Adult male C57BL/6J ob/ob mice were supplemented with L-alanyl-L-glutamine (DIP) or free L-glutamine (GLN) in the drinking water for 40 days, whilst C57BL/6J Wild-type lean (WT) and control ob/ob mice (CTRL) received fresh water only.

Topological importance of CD8 T-cell enrichment in the tumor microenvironment of classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) histologically consists of Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), but the relationship between TME characteristics and clinical features of CHL remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of the TME structure on the outcomes of patients with CHL. We performed a high-throughput analysis of HRS cells and their topological relationship with the reactive immune cells in the TME.

Influence of Worsening Renal Function and Baseline Chronic Kidney Disease on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndromes: Insights From the REAL-CAD Study.

Background: The effect of worsening renal function and baseline chronic kidney disease (CKD) on outcomes in patients with chronic coronary syndrome in the setting of optimal medical therapy remains unknown.

Methods And Results: The REAL-CAD (Randomized Evaluation of Aggressive or Moderate Lipid Lowering Therapy With Pitavastatin in Coronary Artery Disease) study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial of high-dose (pitavastatin 4 mg/day) or low-dose (pitavastatin 1 mg/day) statin therapy in 12 118 patients with chronic coronary syndrome. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization (major adverse cardiac and cerebral events [MACCE]).

Screening for Predictive Factors of Efficacy of Second-Generation Androgen Receptor Axis-Targeted Agents in Patients With High-Risk Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.

Background: Differences in the effectiveness of second-generation androgen receptor axis-targeted agents (ARATs) in high-risk metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the efficacy of ARATs in patients with high-risk mHSPC and compare their long-term effectiveness.

Methods: Four hundred and sixty-six patients with mHSPC treated with ARATs were retrospectively recruited from our hospital and affiliated hospitals of the Kindai Oncology Study Group and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Oncology Study Group between December 2013 and March 2024.

Comprehensive treatment with dapagliflozin in elderly chronic kidney disease patients: Clinical efficacy and impact on body composition.

Background: Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is widely used for treating heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). While its renoprotective effects are well established, concerns remain regarding its impact on muscle mass and function, especially in elderly patients.

Objective: To assess the effects of dapagliflozin on renal function, body composition, and muscle strength in elderly CKD patients.

High-Resolution OCT Reveals Age-Associated Variation in the Region Posterior to the External Limiting Membrane.

Purpose: To evaluate visibility of a sub-band posterior to the external limiting membrane (ELM) and assess its age-associated variation.

Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, normal eyes were imaged using a high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) prototype (2.7-µm axial resolution).

Morphology and functionality in biomimetic cultured meat produced from various cellular origins.

Alternative meat production technologies offer the potential to alleviate many of the ethical, environmental, and public health concerns associated with conventional meat production. Cultured meat produced using cell culture technology promises to become a viable alternative to animal-raised meat for the future of the food industry. The process of cultured meat production relies on cell sources harvested from livestock such as bovine, swine, and chicken.

Superiority illusion in older adults: Volume and functional connectivity of the precuneus.

Aim: Superiority illusion (SI), a cognitive bias where individuals perceive themselves as better than others, may serve as a psychological mechanism that contributes to well-being and resilience in older adults. However, the specific neural basis of SI in elderly populations remains underexplored. This study aims to identify brain regions partially associated with SI, exploring its potential role in adaptive psychological processes.

Muscle Contraction Is Essential for Tendon Healing and Muscle Function Recovery After Achilles Tendon Rupture and Surgical Repair.

Incomplete tendon healing and postponed muscle weakness after Achilles tendon rupture and surgical repair lead to poor performance in patient activities. Although the effectiveness of postoperative early functional rehabilitation has been proven, the priority and each effect of specific methods in early rehabilitation remain unclear. We hypothesized early muscle contraction exercises without joint motion would promote tendon healing and prevent calf muscle atrophy; in contrast, early static stretching after surgical repair would not contribute to tendon healing and induce calf muscle atrophy.

Selective adsorption of unmethylated DNA on ZnO nanowires for separation of methylated DNA.

DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification used as a biomarker for early cancer progression. However, existing methods for DNA methylation analysis are complex, time-consuming, and prone to DNA degradation. This work demonstrates selective capture of unmethylated DNAs using ZnO nanowires without chemical or biological modifications, thereby concentrating methylated DNA, particularly those with high methylation levels that can predict cancer risk.

Support Desired by Parents of Infants With Hearing Impairments Diagnosed Through Newborn Hearing Screening: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.

Objective We aimed to highlight problems faced by parents of infants diagnosed with hearing impairment upon newborn hearing screening (NHS) and to suggest how support might be improved. Methods We distributed a questionnaire to explore difficulties encountered by parents when seeking support, whether they were satisfied with the support, and their unmet needs. We enrolled 101 parents of infants with hearing impairments diagnosed upon NHS (hearing levels: 7.

Diagnosis of Leptomeningeal Disease in Diffuse Midline Gliomas by Detection of H3F3A K27M Mutation in Circulating Tumor DNA of Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Introduction: Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) in diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) can lead to devastating symptoms such as severe pain, urinary incontinence, and tetraparesis, with limited treatment options. We determined whether detecting H3F3A K27M-mutant droplets in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) could be a biomarker for detecting LMD in DMGs.

Methods: Twenty-five CSF samples were obtained from 22 DMG patients.

Emergence of ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae through horizontal gene transfer among Neisseria spp.

Objectives: It has been suggested that the emergence of ceftriaxone-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae involves the incorporation of the penA gene from commensal Neisseria spp. that are resistant to ceftriaxone. However, the mechanism of this mosaic penA generation is unknown.

Schizophrenia-related Xpo7 haploinsufficiency leads to behavioral and nuclear transport pathologies.

Recent genetic studies by the Schizophrenia Exome Sequencing Meta-Analysis (SCHEMA) consortium have identified that protein-truncating variants of exportin 7 (XPO7) can increase the risk of schizophrenia (odds ratio, 28.1). Here we show that mice with Xpo7 haploinsufficiency (Xpo7 mice) present with cognitive and social behavioral impairments.

Successful use of gadolinium contrast medium for flow-diverter stent placement in a patient with hypersensitivity to iodinated contrast: A case report.

Gadolinium contrast medium can serve as an alternative to iodinated contrast medium when the latter is unsuitable. In this report, we describe a case of a carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm in which angiograms were obtained using gadolinium contrast medium for flow-diverter stent placement due to the patient's history of bronchial asthma and hypersensitivity reactions to iodinated contrast medium. To enhance the visibility of gadolinium contrast medium, which typically provides lower contrast compared to iodinated contrast medium, we employed a contrast-enhancing and noise-reducing protocol on our image-guided therapy system.

An examination of the intra-rater reliability of the Y Balance test for high school female athletes.

[Purpose] The Y Balance test is a dynamic balance assessment tool widely used in sports. Although its reliability has been established in professional male athletes, its suitability for female high-school athletes remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the Y Balance test in this population.

Efficacy and Limitations of Continuous Local Antibiotic Perfusion in Treating Surgical Site Infections Following Instrumented Spinal Surgery: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most serious postoperative complications following instrumented spinal surgery. We previously reported the potential of continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) to retain implants for patients with SSI following instrumented spinal surgery. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study to elucidate the efficacy and limitations of CLAP for patients with SSI following instrumented spinal surgery.

Skeletal muscle oxidative capacity related to intramyocellular lipid in young but not in older individuals.

Skeletal muscles contain lipids inside and outside cells, namely intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) and extramyocellular lipids (EMCL), respectively; lipids have also been found to be interspersed between these muscles as adipose tissue, namely intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT). Metabolized IMCL has been recognized as an important substrate for energy production and their metabolism is determined by the muscle oxidative capacity. Therefore, it has been speculated that muscle oxidative capacity is related to muscle lipid content.

Prostate Cancer Risk Prediction Model Using Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Related Findings: Impact of Combining Lesions' Locations and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values.

Objectives: The aims of the study are to develop a prostate cancer risk prediction model that combines clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related findings and to assess the impact of adding Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) ≥3 lesions-level findings on its diagnostic performance.

Methods: This 3-center retrospective study included prostate MRI examinations performed with clinical suspicion of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) between 2018 and 2022. Pathological diagnosis within 1 year after the MRI was used to diagnose csPCa.